The premise follows the journey of a young woman named Tessa, whose journey into the Peace Corps in Tonga becomes a path of self-discovery and inner clarity. Set against the complex backdrop of the Tongan islands, Tessa’s story holds fragments of love, family, and the deep cultural contrasts that challenge her beliefs and expand her understanding of herself and the world.
Memories, stories, and journeys have one thing in common—they all hold pieces of who we are, shaping us with every moment, every experience, and every mile traveled. In Tessa Eyes on the World, Kristena Prater and Salodius Byrd bring an uplifting story that introduces the audience to the power of courage and what it means to be human in a divided, unforgiving world.
A Journey to Self-Discovery
When Tessa arrives in Tonga, she finds herself to be restless. A part of her restlessness can be blamed on the family dynamics that she left behind.
Tessa comes from a background where independence, adventure, and introspection were a part of her childhood. But now, in Tonga, Tessa finds herself in a completely different world where her resolve would be tested.
In Tu’anuku, a remote Tongan village, Tessa faced circumstances that made her alter her ways of life. She had to unlearn much of her progressive thoughts and adjust to the new reality.
Family Roots and Complex Relationships
What makes Tessa Eyes on the World a worthy read is the depth with which Prater and Byrd explore Tessa’s family history and its impact on her worldview.
Viva, Tessa’s mother, was a woman of remarkable strength, and she raised her children in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A huge part of Tessa’s life was influenced by what her mother taught her since childhood. However, when Tessa arrived in Tonga, she had to open her eyes to a reality contrary to the values and stories that Tessa grew up with.
Tessa’s past and her bond with her siblings became vivid in her reflections, creating an emotional landscape as vast as the islands she now calls home.
A World of Cultural Contrast
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its portrayal of cultural adaptation. Prater and Byrd deftly highlight Tessa’s internal conflict as she struggles to respect and integrate into Tongan traditions that sometimes clash with her ethical beliefs.
In Tonga, where she is forbidden from entering certain spaces because her gender and life are deeply communal, Tessa wrestles with questions of individual freedom versus communal loyalty.
Her bond with the locals of Tonga adds a usual layer of hope to her story. The connection she shared with Tatafu, a spirited young man from her village, brings humanity and soul to this journey. Through Tatafu’s companionship, she found the power of humility and the beauty of building bridges between cultures.
A Tale That Resonates with the Heart and Soul
Tessa Eyes on the World is a profound and moving debut that blends poetry, prose, and philosophy. Prater and Byrd have given readers a heroine whose journey toward clarity and connection with herself is inspiring and relatable.
This novel pays homage to what it is to be human and sometimes fragile. For anyone searching for a story that speaks to the heart and soul, Tessa Eyes on the World is a true gift that will remain with you long after the last page is turned.
Grab your copy now.
